Propulsion: Power for a New Breed of RoPax
Building fast RoPax vessels is nothing new for Australia's Austal Ships. The company, founded just 16 years ago, has quickly crafted a reputation as one of the largest and best builders of aluminum craft in the world, and today boasts an annual turnover in excess of $250 million. Spirit of Ontario, however, is in a different league. The ship arrived last month from its birth place Down Under to start work for Canadian American Transportation System on the commuter route between Rochester, NY, and Toronto, ON. Its inaugural route to work took it on tours through the Hawaiian Islands and eventually to Pier 17 at New York City's South Street Seaportā¦
Schat-Harding Books Strong Year
Schat-Harding, a maker of lifeboats and davits, reported a strong orderbook in the third quarter of 2004, with orders totaling $16 million booked, driven by strong demand from passenger ships, offshore rigs, LNG and ice-class tankers and naval vessels. Key passenger ship orders included six CTL38 cruise tenders and 14 MPC32 compact cruise lifeboats with PD davits for two MSC newbuildings at Chantiers de l'Atlantique, eight MPC32 boats and VIP davits for a series of RoPax building at Italy's Visenti yard, and two MPC32 boats with davits for the lengthening of the RCCL Enchantment of the Seas. Offshore orders included two KISS800 systems for the Atwood Beacon rig, four KISS boats and davits for Pemex and two MCB 600 boats for the Dolphin Energy project.
